Du Page County Animal Services Committee met July 14.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
1. CALL TO ORDER
9:30 AM meeting was called to order by Chairman Brian J. Krajewski at 9:30 AM.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: DeSart (Remote), Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
Member Rutledge motioned to allowed Member DeSart to join the meeting via teleconference. Member Eckhoff seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote. All "ayes".
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
4. CHAIRMAN'S REMARKS - CHAIR KRAJEWSKI
Chairman Krajewski informed the committee that under previous leadership DuPage County Sheriff K-9’s were brought to a Chicago veterinarian for veterinary care. Chairman Krajewski and Dr. Hanek have since coordinated with Sheriff Mendrick over the past few months to have Sheriff K-9’s brought to Animal Services for routine veterinary care and vaccinations. Dr. Hanek informed the committee that to-date she has met with six of the eight Sheriff’s K-9 dog/handler teams to review past medical records and to discuss veterinary needs. Some have been scheduled to have their spay/neuter and vaccinations performed at Animal Services at the end of July. Additional routine services such as heartworm testing and preventatives will be provided at that time. Sheriff’s deputy K-9 handlers also have Dr. Hanek’s contact information and know they can contact Dr. Hanek in the event of an emergency.
5. MINUTES APPROVAL
A. Animal Services Committee - Special Call - Feb 12, 2020 6:00 PM
No comments or discussion.
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
SECONDER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
B. Animal Services Committee - Special Call - Feb 18, 2020 7:45 AM
No comments or discussion.
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
SECONDER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
6. PROCUREMENT REQUISITIONS
A. Change Order -- Spay Illinois PO 4247-0001-SERV Change Order Amendment to PO 4247-0001 issued to Spay Illinois Pet Well Clinics for Pet Population Fund services to DuPage County Animal Services, to increase the encumbrance $8,000.00 resulting in an amended contract total not to exceed $19,000.00, an increase of 72.73%. No comments or discussion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
SECONDER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
B. AS-P-0190-20 Recommendation for the approval of a contract to Butler Animal Health Holding Company, LLC, for the purchase of veterinary pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, for the DuPage County Animal Services, for the period August 16, 2020 through August 15, 2021, for a contract not to exceed $82,000.00, per low bid #118-053- JM, second of two (2) options to renew
No comments or discussion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
SECONDER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
C. Recommendation for approval of the renewal of professional services and medical supply contract purchase order to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., to provide SNAP tests and outside laboratory testing for Animal Services, for the period August 15, 2020 through August 14, 2021, for a contract total amount not to exceed $23,413.00, Request for Proposal RFP # 18-096-JM, second renewal out of three (3) options
No comments or discussion.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
SECONDER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge ABSENT: Noonan
D. Recommendation for the approval of a contract purchase order to Hill's Pet Nutrition to provide canine and feline food needed for the Animal Services Department under the Hill's Shelter Pet Food Program, for the period September 1, 2020 through August 30, 2021, for a contract not to exceed $17,000.00, Sole Source, (Shelter Feeding Program discounts for canine and feline specialty foods) Member Rutledge asked staff to confirm that though the contract is listed as sole source, Hills is significantly less expensive than other vendors. Laura confirmed that when reviewing the market Hills was less expensive than other pet food vendors. Dr. Hanek confirmed that Hills is also very unique in the formulations they make available for certain diseases such as kidney, liver, etc. and that a prescription is required for these formulations.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dawn DeSart, District 5
SECONDER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
E. Recommendation for the approval of a purchase order to Dr. Jessica Von Waldau to provide mobile veterinary services, for the Animal Services Department, for the period of September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021, for a contract total amount not to exceed $22,000.00, Other Professional Services not subject to competitive bidding per 55 ILCS 5/5-1022(a), vendor selected pursuant to DuPage County Code Section 2-300.4-108 (1)(b) Member DeSart asked whether this contact is funded by grant monies. Laura confirmed that Animal Services is using DuPage Animal Friends unrestricted grant funds to pay for specialty veterinary vehicle surgeries and backup veterinary care.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Sheila Rutledge, District 6
SECONDER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
7. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATE
Dr. Hanek informed the committee that Animal Services will be hosting a free vaccine clinic on the shelter grounds on Sunday, July 19th. The clinic is being organized in response to COVID- 19 to assist pet owners who are experiencing financial hardship. DuPage County residents who have been recommended by DuPage County Community Services and/or have participated in Animal Services’ LINK spay/neuter program have been invited to have their dogs and cats vaccinated for rabies and distemper free of charge. Microchips will also be registered, updated and implanted for those that need it. Staff is expecting up to fifty residents to participate in the July 19th clinic. Plans are to host a similar clinic each quarter, eventually opening up registration to a wider public. Member Puchalski asked if slots are completely filled so as to make the most of staff/volunteer time. Dr. Hanek stated that the initial twenty five slots are already filled and a total of fifty were made available to meet demand. Member DeSart and Member Puchalski asked whether assistance was needed to market this clinic to the public. Dr. Hanek confirmed that marketing assistance was not needed for this first clinic but would be appreciated in the future. Chairman Krajewski mentioned that if services were approved for COVID-19 grant funding, he and Dr. Hanek have discussed the possibility of taking the specialty vehicle out into low-income communities in various districts to make these same services available. Member DeSart agreed that doing so would be beneficial as there are likely individuals who may have lost all or a significant portion of their income due to COVID-19 layoffs who have not yet had the opportunity to receive a LINK card and could benefit from such services. Dr. Hanek stated that she has been in touch with Outreach Community Ministries who serves a large low-income apartment complex in Carol Stream in an attempt to find out what the veterinary needs are in the community right now. Additionally, a survey will be given to each resident taking part in the July 19th clinic to try to identify what the needs of the community are be it general health exams, diet, diagnostic testing, grooming, etc. so that future services can be better targeted. Chairman Krajewski reiterated that grant funding would be needed to make these services available as increasing services would require additional backup veterinary assistance such as that provided by Dr. Von Waldau.
Dr. Hanek shared that Animal Services has also been assisting rescue partners with surgical backlogs resulting from limited veterinary services and shut downs due to COVID-19. Last week Naperville Area Humane Society brought 9 puppies to be spayed/neutered at Animal Services. Dr. Hanek is also working on a request from rescue One Tail At A Time who has over 90 animals that require spay/neuter, but not enough appointment availability to accommodate them or a space to perform surgery in. OTAT has requested use of the specialty veterinary vehicle so that their own veterinarian has somewhere to perform their surgeries. Animal Services staff is working on developing a program that would make this possible. West Suburban Humane Society has also reached out with similar requests and Dr. Hanek will be working with them to assist with their COVID-19 related backlog. Chairman Krajewski mentioned that the request has been made as we assist these various rescue groups with veterinary care that they also consider our pleas for animals needing rescue transfer and pull animals from Animal Services when needed, and that they look not just in Chicago or out of state for animals to pull into their rescue but also right here in DuPage County.
Lastly Dr. Hanek explained her request for a ventilation hood for the surgery room at Animal Services which could be used to safely euthanize bats at the shelter. Animal Services is responsible for rabies control and one of the most common carriers of rabies in our area are bats. As a result, bats who have been involved in an exposure with a human or pet are required to be tested for rabies since rabies is fatal in humans. Current practice is to sedate the animal in a small container by using a cotton ball doused in isoflurane, a liquid that when turned to a gas is used for general anesthesia. This allows the bat to be handled safely while allowing for pain-free euthanasia. Current practice exposes staff and other animals in the room to waste gasses which the human liver has to metabolize due to lack of proper ventilation and potential exposure to zoonotic diseases - including COVID-19 and SARS - through direct handling. Willowbrook Wildlife uses a similar hood to the one Dr. Hanek is proposing to keep their staff safe when euthanizing wildlife.
Laura informed the committee that Animal Services is fully operational. The front door to the shelter remains locked since it is very difficult to maintain social distancing in the building. Clients are allowed in the building one at a time. The public is encouraged to make appointments for services, but if an individual does arrive without an appointment, they are not turned away.
The animal population is steadily increasing. Staff are seeing an increase in animals coming from owners who are being evicted and/or who have to move out of their homes immediately. Staff is discussing how to prepare for the forecasted eviction crisis, the surge in pet homelessness that would result, and how that might affect intakes at Animal Services by looking at what resources are available that pet owners could be directed to.
Animal Services currently has an open position for Animal Control Officer. Additionally, recruiting will begin to replace the Humane Education and Events Coordinator who will be leaving at the end of July. Member DeSart mentioned she has enjoyed the various humane education offerings made available on social media such as Saturday Story Time and that she hopes it will continue. Hiring for the open Marketing Position has been put on hold for now. DuPage Animal Friends hired a marketing contractor on their own who has also been assisting with Animal Services social media, brochures, and other marketing which staff is very appreciative of.
Volunteers are slowly being brought back into the building on an as-needed basis. As intake increases, volunteers are needed to assist with providing care for a growing population of animals, but care is still being given to ensure social distancing and safety. Masks are also required to be worn in the building. Member Rutledge asked whether there was any CDC guidance as it relates to interacting with animals from a volunteer standpoint. Dr. Hanek stated that while humans are capable of transmitting COVID-19 to animals, there is no data to suggest that animals are capable of transmitting the virus to humans. The reason the presence of volunteers is being limited at the shelter is less due to concerns about animals making humans sick, and more about maintaining proper social distance between humans (volunteers) in the shelter. To ensure adequate care of the animals during social distancing, staff has made adjustments to how we normally do things. For example, select dog walking volunteers have been allowed back, but remain outside the building while staff runs dogs in/out of the building for them.
8. NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Krajewski informed the committee that amendments to the current “leash law” were needed after a series of complaints from unincorporated residents. Current county ordinance allows for “voice control” which is where Animal Services receives the majority of complaints. Staff conducted a survey of local municipalities to compare and contrast leash laws. What they found was that an overwhelming majority of municipalities did not allow for voice control and many had more specific definitions on the type of leash allowed. The proposed amendments are a culmination of discussion and recommendations made by Laura, Dr. Hanek and Animal Control officers.
A. ACC-O-0042-20 ORDINANCE -- An Ordinance Amending Sections 5-2 AND 5-3 of the DuPage County Animal and Rabies Control Ordinance No further comments or discussion. No other new business.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Donald Puchalski, District 1
SECONDER: Grant Eckhoff, Vice Chair
AYES: DeSart, Krajewski, Puchalski, Eckhoff, Rutledge
ABSENT: Noonan
9. ADJOURNMENT
http://dupage.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=15&ID=7315&Inline=True
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